NewJeans members Minji and Danielle made a rare public appearance at the Seoul Central District Court on August 14. They arrived together for a closed-door mediation session in their ongoing legal battle with agency ADOR.
The mediation, held at 2 p.m. by the 41st Civil Agreement Division (Presiding Judge Jeong Hoe Il), focused on ADOR’s lawsuit seeking to confirm the validity of the group’s exclusive contracts.
This is part of a months-long dispute that began after NewJeans announced in November 2024 that they were terminating their contracts, citing a breakdown of trust with the company. Their conflict with the label escalated after the withdrawal of Min Hee Jin as ADOR CEO in August last year.
Members Minji and Danielle Appear in Person
The court had specifically requested the attendance of the members, which prompted curiosity about who would show up. In the end, Minji and Danielle arrived around 1:45 p.m., dressed in coordinated white shirts and black pants.
They smiled and nodded briefly at reporters but avoided answering questions about possible settlement terms or their expectations for the mediation. Despite the tense circumstances, both maintained a calm and composed demeanor.
The courthouse entrance drew a large crowd of fans, media, and court staff eager to catch a glimpse of the idols.
Security staff were dispatched to control the crowd. Danielle was even seen carrying a pink notebook as she entered, suggesting she was prepared to actively engage in the proceedings.
Background of the NewJeans vs ADOR Dispute
The dispute traces back to November last year, when NewJeans announced they were terminating their contracts with ADOR, citing a breach of trust.
ADOR quickly responded with a lawsuit to uphold the contracts. They also filed an injunction to maintain the agency’s authority and block the members from signing endorsement deals elsewhere.
The court sided with ADOR on all injunction requests, halting the group’s independent plans in March. Since then, NewJeans have been largely inactive, pausing their schedules after a concert in Hong Kong.
Points of Contention
ADOR has argued that it fulfilled its obligations by providing sufficient promotional opportunities and properly handling income settlements. The company denies any wrongdoing that would justify a contract termination.
On the other hand, NewJeans remain firm in their refusal to return. This is due to the controversial removal of former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin. The members claim they were not adequately protected during the leadership shake-up, and they have repeatedly stated that any reconciliation would require ADOR to return to “the Min Hee Jin system.”
The tension was evident in last month’s third hearing, where NewJeans compared a return to ADOR to forcing a school violence victim back into a harmful environment.
Core Issues in Mediation
Industry insiders suggest that a major sticking point is NewJeans’ demand for the return of former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin, under whose leadership the group debuted. The members have repeatedly stated they have no intention of returning to the “new ADOR.”
ADOR has expressed willingness to resume working with the members but has not agreed to reinstate Min Hee Jin. HYBE’s conflict with Min began because she tried to make ADOR a separate entity from HYBE. However, she was cleared of breach of trust and any wrongdoing after a year-long legal battle with HYBE.
What’s Next for NewJeans?
If mediation succeeds, the resolution will carry the same legal weight as a court settlement. If it fails, the court is expected to issue a ruling on October 30.
For now, fans are closely watching if the two sides can bridge the gap. Alternatively, this high-profile contract dispute will head toward a definitive judgment in the fall.
